It's not unreasonable to want to look cool when you're actually burning up. Makeup artist Molly R Stern—who works with Cara Delevingne and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, to name a few beauties—gives us the low-down on combating sky-high temperatures. In other words: How to keep yourself from looking like a literal hot mess.

1. Skip Primer

Sweat cuts through everything. It's tenacious! I find that adding primer as an underlayer just complicates things later, making your face feel even more slippery hot when you break a sweat. Instead, I tell my clients to use the bare minimum face makeup. A few dabs of concealer for blemishes and dark marks, plus a tinted moisturizer to even all over. When it comes to makeup, summer is more about a bold lip or blue eyeliner or purple mascara—not porcelain-finished skin.

2. Go for Waterproof

Waterproof mascara, eyeliner and shadow stand-up against sweat. If you're someone that touches your eyes a lot, they're key. In the summer, a simple swipe of a bright liner is always such a clean and pretty look; Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes ($19) is my favorite.

3. Chill Out

When it's steamy hot, keeping your body temperature cool is the most effective way to preserve your makeup. I like to carry a bottle of ice water when I commute. When I arrive at my destination, I'll mist my face, the back of my neck, and my wrists with a cooling spray. Evian ($13) makes a great one, and so does Jurlique ($24). It just makes you feel refreshed.

4. Don't Blot

I love blotting paper, but it works better for grease and oil. They're not really strong enough for sweat. Instead, let yourself cool down for five minutes, then dust on a finely milled powder. Chantecaille Protection Naturelle Loose Powder ($72) is a beautiful mattifying formula, but also contains SPF 46, so you're doing two things at once.

5. Keep Your Base

If your makeup feels drippy, you might be tempted to wipe it all off and start at the top. Resist the urge. Instead, after you cool off, I like doing spot touch-ups with a product that can double as a foundation and concealer, like Ken Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation ($62). It's thick enough to cover blemishes but also blends with a sheer finish.

6. Stay Covered

If you're acne prone and need a little more coverage, carry a pressed powder like Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder ($46) and a clean sponge. It feels really dry on the face, but also gives you an opaque coverage that lasts without settling into fine lines.

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